Arsenal want Man Utd's Chris Smalling as January addition

Arsene Wenger wants to steal Chris Smalling from Old Trafford and is showing an interest in Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar and Celtic's Virgil van Dijk.

Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal is keen on Vlaar and Van Dijk but could now have a battle on his hands after fresh competition from the Gunners.

The Daily Mail report that Wenger will meet with his scouting team to weigh up their options and decide which targets to go after.

Arsenal started the season short at the back after Thomas Vermaelen left The Emirates to join Barcelona.

And their shortcomings have turned into something of a crisis as Wenger's side now have a number of injuries to defenders which has led to players being forced to play out of position to paper over the cracks.